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Political career

Schieve was on the
Reno City Council from 2012 to 2014. Schieve was one of 20 candidates on the primary ballot in 2014. She ultimately ran for mayor in 2014 and beat her opponent, Raymond "Pez" Pezonella, a
Democrat, 60.90% to 39.10% in the
Washoe County election.[1] She was elected to the position of City of Reno Mayor on November 4, 2014 and sworn in eight days later.[2] Although she is
Non-Partisan, she received considerable support from the
Democratic Party prior to winning the mayoral election.[3]

Schieve was named by
Politico as one of the 11 most interesting mayors in America. In doing so, Politico noted her work to improve the Midtown area of Reno, and continued efforts to promote affordable housing, mental health services, and fight homelessness.[6]

American flag replaced with an LGBT flag

Excessive taxpayer spending

Schieve defended the taxpayer expenses of more than $10,000 on the State of the City address on March 9, 2017, after being criticized for wasteful spending.[8][9]

Amending Powers of Mayor in Reno City Charter

Schieve convinced
Democratic state senator
Tick Segerblom of
Las Vegas to introduce an amendment to the city charter granting "Strong Mayor" powers common in other cities across the state and country. This amendment would have made the Mayor the helm of the Executive branch by creating a separate office and allow the Mayor to veto matters passed by the Reno City Council (with the Council power to override a veto) and to break tie votes. Despite a similar Charter amendment adopted by the cities of
Sparks and
Mesquite, as well as a power common to the incorporated general law cities of Nevada, the amendment was withdrawn amid criticism, such as that the amendment was introduced without consulting the charter committee.[10][11] Critics (including Washoe County Democrats,
Republicans of all 17 counties and others) have condemned the bill as a power grab by Schieve herself and for abusing multiple taxpayers' money accounts. The bill was rejected by the state assembly after it was passed by the state senate[12] and was later withdrawn.[13]

Personal life

Schieve attended
Reno High School and she became an activist for organ donor awareness after her sister, former
KOLO-TV news anchor Amanda Sanchez, donated a kidney to her.[14]